Friedman Billings Ramsey to BB?

Given this situation:

-starting at FBR Capital Markets in summer 2008 analyst class in thier IBD

-want to be at Bulge Bracket sooner rather then later (attend a non-target school + rough markets = tough job market this fall = made it tough to go straight to BB)

what are the chances of switching to Bulge Bracket bank after 1 year at FBR? Assuming MS and GS are, for all intensive purposes, out of the picture for a lateral move. But, what are the chances of going from FBR to any other BB or BBish bank? (Lehman, ML, Citi, JPM, Credit Suisse, UBS, Deutsche Bank, Bear Stearns or even Evercore)

Lets assume relatively strong deal experience in the first yr at FBR and, if need be, I would be willing to start as a 1st yr analyst at the BB. Thanks in advance.

12 Comments
 
Best Response

The thing to watch out for is (as you said) that they may try to ding you and make you start over as a first year. You REALLY don't want this.

GS/MS will almost certainly make you a 1st year just because of their brand names. This has happened to multiple people I know. I know people who have transitioned over to CS and DB after 2 years at a boutique/MM and they were brought in as 3rd years, but not sure of their policy on 1st year laterals.

If you have really strong deal experience and the market doesn't get too much worse (a big "if") you definitely have a good shot at switching to a BB - just need to negotiate properly and make sure you come in as a 2nd year.

 

dosk17, aside from being held back one year, is starting again as a first year analyst that bad? A buddy of mine did it and found it valuable - new training program, was already ahead of his peers, given more responsibility and had the opportunity to grow a solid network with his peers rather than get lost in limbo.

What are downsides that you see?

 

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